Rhine Duke's Swift Action

Rhine Duke kowtowed incessantly as though he had been granted a pardon. Then he suddenly rose, swept his gaze across everyone's faces, and said resolutely, "Shadow Elder, I am willing to offer 1,000 Shadow Points to hire someone to do me a favor."

Shadow Elder gave a strange smile. He liked subordinates with such proactive attitudes, and nodded directly. "Fine. If the price is right, you may now requisition anyone."

"Li Ziran!" Rhine Duke dragged his bulky body straight to Li Ziran and said with utmost seriousness, "You are a master in embryology. I hope that, in keeping with the principles of a Shadow Society member, you will spare no effort in helping me locate the true factory behind the Elemental Embryos."

Li Ziran instinctively wanted to refuse. There was no factory at all; every embryo came from him alone. Now that he possessed abundant Soul Plasma, there was simply no need to waste time on the Shadow Society's troublesome affairs.

But at that moment, a cold gaze swept over him. It was Shadow Elder—a warning. This was not a negotiation, but a compulsory order.

"No problem, but 1,000 Shadow Points are not enough. 2,000!" Just as his dissatisfaction surfaced, Li Ziran deftly concealed it with a smile. "Rhine Duke, I believe you should have enough Shadow Points, correct? Everyone knows how exceptional the Elemental Embryos are. Since the other side can produce such outstanding embryos, how could they possibly expose their factory completely? This mission is difficult. I think 2,000 Shadow Points would be best. Shadow Elder, that request is not excessive, is it?"

Everyone was stunned. None of them had expected Li Ziran to raise the price at such a critical juncture—and to double it outright.

Rhine Duke's eyes widened even further. This was outright extortion. His Shadow